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Lions Club keeps train on track since 1988 (video)

It's been 25 years since the city of Loveland purchased the Buckhorn Northern Railroad

By James Garcia Reporter-Herald Staff Writer

Posted:
07/14/2013 09:46:58 PM MDT

The west wouldn't be what it is today without locomotives. One railroad in particular has touched the lives of many Loveland residents.

The city purchased the Buckhorn Northern Railroad at North Lake Park 25 years ago and with a partnership with the Loveland Lions Club to help run it, generations of fond memories have been formed on those tracks.

"I've been running it as an engineer since that time. It's been really fun to feed the kids (at the concession stand) and to help them have a good time with it. It doesn't make any difference whether they're big or little kids," said Harvey Ruegsegger, Lions Club member.

The train was built by Fred Lewis in the '70s, who first operated it in 1977. Nearly 10 years later, Lewis was suffering from altitude-related health issues and entered into an agreement with the city of Loveland to sell the railroad and keep it running for the public.

"The purchase papers were signed on June 23, 1988," said parks and recreation manager Keven Aggers. "We were interested in the train. After some pretty in-depth negotiations, the city paid Fred $36,000 for the train."

A few days later, the Lions Club had signed into an agreement with the city to keep the train on its tracks. Each ride is 75 cents, with 25 cents going to the city, which pays for maintenance and replacement costs.

"It's in great condition, runs like a top. They take very, very good care of it, both our guys and the Lions Club folks," Aggers said.

He said over the years the city has put a substantial amount of money into the train, but that each year's cost is relatively low. He estimates a similar train, if purchased today brand new from an amusement park manufacturer, would cost between $150,000 and $200,000.

"I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you the key to this is the successful partnership between the city of Loveland and the Loveland Lions Club," Aggers said.

"I think it's a really neat partnership we have with the city," Ruegsegger said. "The people enjoy it."

The wheels have been rebuilt a couple times in the past 25 years, and it runs using a four-cylinder, 1944 Willys Jeep engine, which has also been rebuilt a number of times with new transmissions and throttles.

"If we have a problem with it, they're right out there to fix the problem and keep it going," Ruegsegger said. "They really do support us. At the same time, all of our volunteers are certified by the city. We do that with confidence."

The remaining 50 cents of the ticket price, along with concession sales, goes to the Lions Club's philanthropic projects, as a nonprofit organization. They offer scholarships to graduating seniors each year, provide financial help for people in need of new glasses and donate to other nonprofits.

"A couple years ago, we had a four-generation family that rode. From a toddler up to a great-grandmother who was 102," Ruegsegger said.

"It's an extremely popular amenity. What we're seeing now, as you would expect in a 25-year span, we're seeing children who rode the train 25 years ago, who are bringing their children to ride the train," Aggers said.

The train runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. In 2012, the railroad gave approximately 25,000 rides, an average year for the train both Aggers and Ruegsegger said. They anticipate even higher numbers for 2013.

"My grandpa helped operate the train when he was a member of the Lions Club. I rode the train as a child and I have also taken my children. It was fun to share it with them," said Carla Guthridge on a photo of the train on the Reporter-Herald Facebook page.

"It's interesting too, it challenges, particularly some of the mothers, whose kids want to ride in the caboose, but they're claustrophobic. Some of them deal with that and others say, 'No I can't get in there at all.' And I'm a big guy, and I say, 'Well, I get in to do repairs.' But that doesn't seem to turn the tides for them," Ruegsegger said, laughing.

And those who have ever taken a ride on the Buckhorn know that those lucky enough to ride in the cattle car are expected to act the part.

"I tell the kids in the cattle car, that whenever they hear the bell or the whistle, that makes the cows moo a lot. So some of them moo all the way through the tunnel," Ruegsegger said.

Aggers said the relationship between the Lions Club and the city is the steam in the engine of the Buckhorn Northern. And he expects the train to keep on rolling for years to come.

"This year, one of the ladies told my wife, who was selling tickets at the time, that this is a hidden treasure in Loveland. She comes up from Boulder with some of her family members," Ruegsegger said.

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